A large contingent of Asia-Pacific buyers at Fine Food Australia

14 Oct 2010

An impressive 220 buyers from across ASEAN, South Asia, China, Taiwan and the South Pacific participated in Fine Food Australia, the nation’s largest international food and hospitality event.

 
The Australian Trade Commission - Austrade - recruited the delegation to attend the trade show, held at Melbourne’s Convention & Exhibition Centre from 13-16 September 2010. It is an essential appointment for international buyers interested in sourcing Australian products and produce.

 
The visitors included buyers from the food retail, ingredients and food services sectors, like major supermarket chains Fairprice and Cold Storage from Singapore, Giant from Malaysia and Park ‘n Go from Hong Kong.

Mr Ross Bray, Austrade’s Senior Trade & Investment Commissioner, based in the Philippines said the growing number of international buyers at Fine Food Australia demonstrates a high level of interest in sourcing Australian products and produce.

“Buyers from South East Asian markets are keen to take advantage of business opportunities emerging from lower tariff rates under the ASEAN Australia New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA).

“The buyers are also excited by Australia’s array of innovative and premium products, good safety record, and fresh and organic produce.”

Following meetings at Austrade’s Exhibitors Lounge at Fine Food, an Australian-owned food distributor, M-Square Trading Pty Ltd, has secured an order worth close to A$190,000 to supply a Philippine supermarket chain with frozen goods.

“We believe this order is just the beginning. I think there is a big future for Australian foods in the Philippines,” said Maggie Montecastro, Managing Director of M-Square.

“The range and high quality of Australian products available, together with our good understanding of the Philippine market, are key factors that worked in our favour.”

The next Fine Food Australia will be held in Sydney on 5-8 September 2011.

For more information about Fine Food Australia and Australian food and beverage,please contact Stuart Castricum, Divisional Food & Beverage leader at stuart.castricum@austrade.gov.au